Chapter 3

Having finished signing the transfer authorization, I immediately got up to leave.

But before I could reach the study door, Mother called me back.

"Lavinia, there's one more thing. Fiorella's bedroom is being renovated, so she'll be staying in yours for a while. Move your things into the guest room today."

I turned around. "Why does she need my room?"

"Because yours gets the most sunlight. Your sister's health is delicate, and she can't sleep somewhere dark."

"The guest room isn't dark. It's cleaned every day, and it has heating, a private bathroom, and perfectly good windows."

Mother frowned. "The windows face north. Fiorella needs more sunlight while she's recovering."

I looked at my sister, who was still admiring the diamond necklace Adrian had given her.

"Lavi, I can stay in the guest room," she offered softly. "I don't want to make you unhappy."

"Nonsense, sweetheart." Mother immediately squeezed her hand. "You're still recovering from your cold. You need to be comfortable."

Marco sighed. "It's just a bedroom, Lavinia. Why do you have to argue about everything?"

Just a bedroom. Just a million dollars.

Apparently, nothing was worth discussing when it belonged to me.

"I'm not moving," I said. "If Fiorella needs somewhere to stay, the guest room is available."

Father slammed his hand against the desk.

"Enough! This is my house, and I'll decide who stays where. If you don't want the guest room, then get out and pay for a hotel yourself!"

Adrian gave me a disappointed look.

"Your father isn't being unreasonable. Fiorella needs the room more than you do. Can't you be understanding for once?"

I looked around at their faces. None of them seemed to think there was anything unfair about the arrangement.

"Fine," I said.

Mother nodded approvingly. "Good. I'm glad you're finally being sensible."

I didn't explain that I had no intention of sleeping in the guest room.

Father had told me to get a hotel.

For once, I was happy to follow his advice.

I booked a room in Manhattan and spent the afternoon packing.

My passport, diploma, research documents, and a few changes of clothes went into my suitcase. Most of the dresses Mother had chosen for family events stayed in the closet.

I had no use for them in London.

Before leaving, I checked the small velvet jewelry case in my dresser. It was empty, as always, but seeing it reminded me of something I still needed to collect.

My grandmother's diamond tiara.

Grandmother had commissioned two matching tiaras for Fiorella and me before she died.

Both were made of platinum and diamonds, with our names engraved inside the bands. She had placed them in separate compartments of the family's private bank vault for safekeeping.

I rarely wore mine, but I wanted to take it with me.

Grandmother had been the only person in our family who never expected me to give Fiorella everything I loved.

I went to the bank that afternoon.

The vault attendant searched the records, then looked at me apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Miss Vescari. Your tiara was withdrawn three days ago."

I stared at him. "That's impossible. I haven't collected it."

"It was released under an authorized family withdrawal."

"Who signed for it?"

He turned the ledger toward me.

There, beneath the item number, was my mother's signature.

Donna Vescari.

I called her immediately.

"Lavinia?" she answered. "What is it now?"

"Did you take my crown from the bank?"

"Oh, that. Yes."

"Why?"

"Fiorella's tiara lost a diamond during her last fitting. It's being repaired in Milan, and she needs a crown for the Winter Gala."

"So you took mine without asking?"

Mother sounded impatient. "You never wear it anyway. What difference does it make if your sister borrows it for one evening?"

"Grandmother left that crown to me."

"And she left one to Fiorella. Hers simply isn't available right now."

"Then she can wear something else."

"Don't be selfish, Lavinia. Your sister is being formally introduced to the family business. She needs to look her best."

I gripped the phone.

"Where is my crown?"

"At home. Fiorella is trying it on with her dress."

I ended the call and hurried back to the estate.

I found them in Mother's dressing room.

Fiorella stood before the full-length mirror in a pale silver gown. Mother was adjusting the fabric around her waist, while Adrian sat nearby, watching her with a smile.

On Fiorella's head was my grandmother's diamond tiara.

"Does it suit me?" she asked Adrian, turning slightly.

"You look beautiful," he replied.

I stepped inside.

"Take it off, Fiorella."

Everyone turned toward me.

Mother's smile disappeared. "Lavinia? I thought you'd left."

I ignored her and looked at my sister.

"That crown belongs to me."

Fiorella touched the delicate platinum band.

"Oh, Lavi. Mom said I could borrow it for the gala. I didn't realize you'd mind."

"Well, I do. Please give it back."

Mother stepped forward. "We've already discussed this. Fiorella needs it for her introduction. Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Because Grandmother left it to me. You had no right to take it without asking."

"I'm your mother! Must I ask permission before borrowing something for your sister?"

I looked past her at the tiara.

On our eighteenth birthday, Grandmother had placed it on my head herself. Her hands had trembled as she adjusted the band, but she'd smiled when she saw my reflection.

"This one is yours, Lavinia," she'd whispered. "No one else's."

She had died six months later.

I had kept that memory close, even after everything else in this family had changed.

"Fiorella," I said, holding out my hand. "Give it back."

My sister's eyes filled with tears. "Of course. I never meant to upset you."

She carefully lifted the tiara from her head and held it toward me.

I stepped forward to take it.

But before my fingers could reach the platinum band, Fiorella suddenly opened her hands.

The crown hit the marble floor with a sharp crack.

Several diamonds scattered across the tiles.

For a moment, nobody moved.

Then Fiorella stumbled backward, her eyes filling with tears.

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "Lavi, you scared me! You came at me so suddenly. I thought you were going to grab it!"